Sam Torrance thinks the PGA Tour buying the European Tour would be “perfect timing” and even enhance the Ryder Cup.
One of the European Tour’s most respected elder statesman, the Scot thinks it would be “fantastic” if the rumours prove to be true that the US-based PGA Tour want to take over the circuit where he has played more events than any other player.
Revelations that meetings between senior figures in both tours had taken place at the PGA Championship in Oak Hill, New York, have not been denied but officials of both tours have said that suggestions the PGA Tour would purchase the European Tour were “inaccurate”.
Speaking at the historic St Salvator’s Quadrangle at St Andrews University ahead of today’s first round of the Scottish Hydro Seniors Open at nearby Fairmont, the former European Ryder Cup captain who is 60 next week gave his support to a buyout or a merger.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” he said.
“We know the American Tour is the best in the world. And if they’re considering buying us and then running us, I don’t see a problem with that.
“It didn’t do Manchester United any harm when they were bought by Americans. Would it harm the Ryder Cup? Good God, no. They wouldn’t own that, and they wouldn’t want it changed in any way, shape or form. If anything, I think it would it would enhance the Ryder Cup.”
Sam added that the European Tour’s executive director George O’Grady was due to retire, meaning that a buyout made more sense.
“George is ready to retire in the next five years or so, so it looks like perfect timing to me. As long as they can give us a pension fund and backdate it 43 years! Seriously, I think it’ll be great for Europe, I really do.
“It’s all becoming a world tour now anyway, and it’s the same with all the tours, The American Tour is all-world now. We in Europe are very much so, with the Asian tournaments and the WGC events.
“I’d much prefer to see our main tour solidified, because European golf has not been better than it is right now. The last 15 years have been phenomenal for the Tour, and we should be at the top.
“The reason it’s happening is the PGA Tour are expanding. They’ve already bought the Canadian Tour and the Latin American Tour. Europe is the second best tour in the world, and it’s the next step. I think it would be fantastic.”
Torrance, meanwhile, attempts once again to win his home Seniors event this week but has been boosted by being named by protg Paul McGinley as captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team to play in the Seve Trophy matches against the Continent of Europe next month.
McGinley, skipper of Europe in next year’s Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, clearly sees a role for the man he credits as inspiring his devotion to the matches next year but Sam’s thrilled with the role he’s been given.
“It’s a great honour and I’m really looking forward to it,” continued Sam.
“He called me Saturday night and I agreed immediately. I really thought this captaincy lark was over for me and no way did I think my next one would be playing against Europe!”
The man who captained Europe to victory in 2002 at the Belfry isn’t even considering involvement at Gleneagles, however.
“I know what everyone’s thinking and reading between the lines it’s pretty obvious what he’s doing, but I don’t know anything about that,” he said.
“I’d be delighted to do anything at Gleneagles. That would also be a great honour, but in the meantime I’m thinking about next month.
“Quite a few of the top players won’t be able to be there because of other commitments but that’s fine. In some ways it’s even better, I think, because it’ll give younger players a chance to get into that environment.
“Ultimately, the Ryder Cup’s the one they want to be in, that’s where they want to be, but the Seve Trophy is like a breeding ground for them. It’s brilliant.”
Sweden’s Anders Forsbrand is defending the Scottish Seniors title from a strong field on the Torrance Course at Fairmont.